*This editorial is based off of the PC beta*
Risen 2 was a pleasant surprise. Gone are the select a class aspects, such as Mage or warrior. You are, instead, given the opportunity to spend your hard earned exp on skills to shape your character leaving many doors of possibility open to shape your pirate how you see fit.

The game is gorgeous. Textures are spot on and the lush landscapes of the open world are breathtaking. So much so that my PC begged for an upgrade. The game’s main draw will be its combat. This isn’t your simple hack and slash. Human opponents will have you parrying and countering, so those who run in expecting to hack and slash will get owned very quickly. Some of the encounters can become drawn out, but as a fan of Demons Souls, I didn’t mind one bit. I can see the future battles becoming more and more satisfying with every win. Here’s a look at Combat from the beta.

If you’re a Warhawk veteran and opted in for PlayStation emails, invites for the Starhawk beta should start reaching inboxes Tuesday. Keep in mind, it’s a slow rollout, so as the beta progresses, more and more people will be invited. Be sure to read all of the details about what to expect at the Official Blog. Let us know if you get an invite!